Times Are Changing for Woman EntrepreneursWritten by Dr. Pirjo Friedman D.D.S.
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The Women Entrepreneurs of Canada was founded in Toronto in 1992, as a resource, support and opportunity network for women in business. WEC promotes and fosters success of women entrepreneurs in Canada and helps them define and achieve success on their own terms. WEC promotes interests of women entrepreneurs in larger business community; facilitates transfer of relevant knowledge that is appropriate to WEC members; and partners with organizations both in Canada and abroad, such as National Association of Women Business Owners in USA, and international groups like Femmes Chefs d'Enterprises Mondiales and Italian Associazione Imprenditrici e Donne Dirigenti D’Azienda, (see www.aidda.org), to bring best practices, opportunities and resources to its members here. It is often said that in unity there is strength, and I would say that goes double for members of WEC. This is an organization where women can meet and mix with other women who face similar issues in starting, running, and growing their businesses. WEC is a resource that provides a unified voice to government and public, pushing issues of women entrepreneurs to forefront. Recently, I had a chance to represent WEC before Standing Committee on Status of Women in Ottawa and I was able to convey our position on financing, statistical research, daycare, and maternity leave. WEC recommends increased women’s business research to create more opportunities for women while bringing what is known about women’s businesses up-to-date. And regarding maternity leave—as women employers do not have same benefits as their employees; what might be done to level playing field and extend that benefit to all as, for example, it is in Finland? WEC is working hard to communicate a confident and refreshingly optimistic message about future prospects for women and it is gratifying that message is being heard. I urge any woman in business to find out more about WEC and benefits of becoming a member by visiting website at: www.wec.ca.
Dr. Pirjo Friedman, D.D.S., was born in Finland and now practices in the Yorkville area of Toronto, Canada. She is a believer in natural therapies and the most modern dental techniques—used in her practice every day. She believes a patient should be able to relax during dental work. She is President of the Women Entrepreneurs of Canada. She can be contacted at friedman@dentalove.com For more information, see: http://www.dentalove.com/
| | Women and Self EsteemWritten by Maggie Vlazny, MSW
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Poor self esteem often results in depression and anxiety. Physical health suffers as well. Many times, women with this problem don't go for regular checkups, exercise, or take personal days because they really don't think they're worth time. Relationships are impacted as well. Their needs are not met by their partner because they feel like they don't deserve to have them met, or are uncomfortable asking. Their relationships with children can suffer if they are unable to discipline effectively, set limits, or demand respect they deserve. Worse yet, low self-esteem passes from mother to daughter.The mother is modeling what a woman is. She is also modeling, for her sons, what a wife is. In workplace, women with low self-esteem tend to be self-deprecating, to minimize their accomplishments, or let others take credit for their work. They never move up. Finally, with friends, they are unable to say no. They end up doing favors they don't want to do, or have any time for. They end up going where they don't want to go, with people they don't want to go with! A woman with low self-esteem has no control over her life. But that can change. These women can get help and emotional healing. It is criticial to remember that no one deserves to be abused. If something bad has happened to you, it does not mean there is something wrong with you. The responsibility for abuse lies with person who chooses to hurt you. If you are presently being abused, you must put yours and your children's safefy first. If you think you are in danger, you can call your local domestic violence hotline number (the Connecticut number is 1-888-774-2900). You can choose your own identity. You can discard popular cultural image and replace it with something real. As I read someplace once, "We are bound by our fate only as long as we accept values that determine it." Nobody is perfect, but everyone is worthwile. Believe in yourself.
Maggie Vlazny is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and RCI Singles coach practing in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She has also written and presented a mental health series on Monroe (CT) Cable Television. See more about Maggie at www.therapyct.com or contact at maggie@therapyct.com
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